Saraswati, sometimes spelled Sarasvati, is a Sanskrit fusion word of Sara (सार)[9] which means essence, and Sva (स्व)[10] which means one self, the fused word meaning "essence of one self", and Saraswati meaning "one who leads to essence of self knowledge".[11][12] It is also a Sanskrit composite word of surasa-vati (सुरस-वति) which means "one with plenty of water".

The goddess Saraswati is often depicted as a beautiful woman dressed in pure white, often seated on a white lotus, which symbolizes light, knowledge and truth.[23] She not only embodies knowledge but also the experience of the highest reality. Her iconography is typically in white themes from dress to flowers to swan – the colour symbolizing Sattwa Guna or purity, discrimination for true knowledge, insight and wisdom.[1][24]